The Judgment Seat of Christ PART 1

 The Judgment Seat of Christ PART 1

 

          Many young men and women have entered the United States Military to serve their country and receive the lifelong benefits that come with their enlistments such as education, healthcare, housing, home loans, and more. Prior to becoming a soldier, regardless of whichever branch they choose, they all must attend boot camp. They are often taken away from their familiar environment and stationed at a designated location for eight to twelve weeks, dependent on the branch, to learn what it takes to be suitable for service. After intensive physical, educational and psychological training, they will be evaluated to see rather they made it or not – based on their performance. Similarly, and yet dissimilar, Christians will have a day of evaluation before Christ, but not to determine if they have made it to Heaven as in the case of the military’s appraisal of their cadets, for all whose names are written in the book of Life will have already been granted entry into the Kingdom.[1] “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:12).[2] This evaluation will be to determine the heavenly rewards that will or will not be given to the believer based on what they did while in their earthly bodies.

          It is important for Christians to know and understand that salvation will not be determined at this judgment.[3] The decision will have already been made as to one’s eternal destination based on their acceptance either for or against Christ.[4]  Nevertheless, rewards will be given to believers based on what they did while living on earth.[5]  This is not a general judgment as some people have mistaken it to be for both believer and nonbeliever, but one for the believers alone.[6] To have a full understanding of this concept, one must comprehend the work that Jesus did on the cross and its effect on the Christian’s life.[7] The Bible lets one know that without the shedding of Christ’s blood, there could never have been any forgiveness of sin, and man would have been condemned for all eternity to a devil’s hell.[8] Therefore, it all began with the plan of redemption and will end with standing before the judgment seat of Christ.

God’s Expectation of the Believer

          There are countless interpretations from believers regarding the judgment seat of Christ when they read this particular text in the Bible: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).[9] Numerous scholars and laity alike have been confused over the centuries as to the nature of this judgment, its significance, timing, objective, and the parties to be involved.[10] The judgment seat of Christ is not to be confused with the Great White Throne of Judgment where God will judge the unbelievers whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of Life.[11] God, in His great mercy and infinite wisdom,  gave the apostles and prophets of old words of warning and encouragement to prepare His children for what was to come.[12] Therefore, the judgment seat of Christ will evaluate the faithful as to rather they will gain or lose rewards.[13] This upcoming event also serves as a motivator for the believer in the present age for what they may receive in the future.[14]

 

          The knowledge gained from understanding about the judgment seat of Christ is to prepare the believer to love the Lord, be faithful and to live holy and pure lives unto Him.[15] Understanding Christ judgment stems into every aspect of a believer’s life, thoughts, feelings, and motivations.[16]  Therefore, with more revelation come greater responsibility and accountability for the Bible says, “…to much is given, much is required.”[17] Biblical eschatology and Christian ethics form a union at the judgment seat of Christ because the believer’s whole life will be assessed.[18]  The book of James instructs the believer to be not only hearers but doers when it comes to the Word of God.[19] As a result, the Word must come alive in the life of the believer which produces good fruit. Every action and decision the believer makes has eternal implications rather they be good or bad.[20]

JOIN US TOMORROW FOR PART 2 OF THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.

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[1] Paul N Benware, The Believers Payday: Why Standing Before Christ Should Be Our Greatest Moment (Chattanooga, Tenn: AMG Publisher, 2002), 15-20.

[2] Rev. 20:12 (New International Version).

[3] Rick Howard and Jamie Lash, This Was Your Life!: Preparing to Meet God Face to Face (Grand Rapids, Mich: Chosen Books, 1998), 10.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Benware, The Believer’s Payday, 15-22.

[6] Jonathan Edwards, Henry Rogers, and Edward Hickman, The Final Judgment: The World Judged Righteously By Jesus Christ, Revised Edition (The Digital Puir, 2011), 10-17.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Heb. 9:22 (New International Version).

[9] 2 Cor. 5:12 (New International Version).

[10]. Samuel L Hoyt, The Judgment Seat of Christ: A Biblical and Theological Study (Duluth, Minn: Grace Gospel Press, 2015), ix.

[11] Rev. 20:15 (New International Version).

[12] Everett I. Carver, When Jesus Comes Again (Lindenhurst: Great Christian Books, 2013), 17-21.

[13] Samuel L. Hoyt, "A Theological Examination Of The Judgment Seat Of Christ," Bibliotheca Sacra 137, no. 545 (1980): 33-34, doi:10.2986/tren.009-0125.

[14] Hoyt, The Judgment Seat 14-16.

[15]Rick Howard, The Judgment Seat of Christ: Including General WIlliam Booth's Vision of Heaven (Woodside: Naioth Sound and Publishing, 1990), 10-25.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Luke 12:48 (New International Version).

[18] Hoyt, The Judgment Seat 15-20.

[19] James 1:22 (New International Version).

[20] Prov. 13:20 (New International Version).